Kalamazoo, MI: On Wednesday November 30, 2016 at approximately 2:45 pm, a young girl was walking in the 2000 block of Oakland drive when she was approached by a person driving a red pickup truck. The person in the truck asked her if she wanted a ride, the young girl said “no” and ran home. The person in the truck drove off. The truck is a red truck with rust on the front wheel well with newer wheels. There is also a Lion mural in the back window.

On Wednesday December 7, 2016 at approximately 6:40 am, the same thing happened to a young boy in the Winchell area. A person driving a red pickup truck asked the young boy if he wanted a ride. The young boy ran and the truck drove off. There were no other details provided at that time.

The descriptions of the driver are similar in both incidents. The driver is described as a Hispanic or light skinned black man, approximately 50 years old, with a beard. At no time did the driver attempt to grab or entice them into the vehicle.

We have stepped up patrols in the area of bus stops in the mornings and afternoons. We are asking for the public to be on the alert for any suspicious behavior concerning strangers asking children if they need a ride. Having students walk in groups or with adults will deter this type of behavior.

Anyone who may have information regarding this investigation is asked to call Kalamazoo Public Safety at 337-8994 or Silent Observer at 343-2100 or www.kalamazoosilentobserver.com.

Kalamazoo, MI: On December 7, 2016 at about 12:40 AM, Kalamazoo Public Safety Officers responded to the 400 block of Davis Street for a report of a robbery that had just occurred. A 27 year old Kalamazoo woman told officers that she was walking on a foot path between Davis Street and Bellevue Place when she was approached by a male who attempted to rob her.

The suspect struck the woman in the face and attempted to steal her purse. He was unsuccessful and fled on foot. Officers searched the area and used a police K9 in an effort to locate the suspect but were unable to find him. The victim was taken by Life Ambulance to Borgess for non-life threatening injuries.

The suspect was described as a black male standing approximately 6 ft tall and wearing a tan beanie hat, dark Carhartt style jacket, and black pants.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety at 337-8994 or Silent Observer at 343-2100.

KALAMAZOO, MI: On December 6, 2016, at about 2145 hours, a Kalamazoo Public Safety Officer conducted a directed patrol in the Arcadia Parking Ramp #4 at 300 N Rose Street. The officer was using the Station 1 Segway when he encountered a man hunched over near a wall. The man appeared to be working on something.

The officer contacted the man and discovered he was loading a needle with recently prepared heroin from a kitchen spoon. The officer prevented the man from injecting himself with the potentially deadly drug by taking him into custody without incident.

The man, a 28 year old Kalamazoo resident, was arrested for Possession of Heroin and three unrelated, outstanding warrants. The man was lodged at the Kalamazoo County Jail and awaits arraignment.

The area of the arrest was thoroughly checked for needles and other items of paraphernalia. These items were seized and packaged per policy. Heroin use remains a public safety health concern due to the recent spike in overdose deaths.

Anyone have information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety at 337-8994 or Silent Observer at 343-2100.

Kalamazoo, MI: On Monday, December 5, 2016, at approximately 10:10 p.m, Kalamazoo Public Safety Officers responded to a report of a person shooting at another. Upon arrival, Officers did not locate anyone on scene. A Police K-9 track was initiated, as it was reported by witnesses that the victim fled on foot. As the K-9 officer was tracking, the victim called 911 to report he had been shot and was at a nearby apartment. Officers responded and provided medical care to the victim. The victim, an 18 year Kalamazoo resident, was transported by Life Ambulance to Bronson hospital for a non-life threatening gunshot wound to the arm. During the investigation, the victim claimed he was trying to purchase marijuana from the suspect when the shooting occurred. The suspect, later identified as a 17 year old Kalamazoo resident, was arrested at his home several hours after the incident. A gun was recovered at the home at the time of the arrest. The incident is still under investigation.

Anyone who may have information regarding this investigation is asked to call Kalamazoo Public Safety at 337-8994 or Silent Observer at 343-2100 or www.kalamazoosilentobserver.com.

Kalamazoo, MI: On December 6th, 2016, at approximately 1218 a.m., Kalamazoo Public Safety Officers responded to the 1400 Block of Princeton for a report of a car on fire. Public Safety was on scene quickly and knocked down the fire, limiting damage to the exterior of the car. Evidence on the scene indicated that the fire was intentionally set. A K-9 track was attempted for the suspect, but no one was located.

The Fire Marshal’s office is investigating this incident. Anyone with information regarding this fire is encouraged to call Silent Observer at 343-2100 or Kalamazoo Public Safety dispatch at 337-8994.